The amount of hype surrounding its commencement has been extremely pleasing, piggy-backing on the amount of coverage also dedicated to the second instalment of the Women's Big Bash League and the beginning of Super Netball.

W-League semi-finals

There are two cracking semi-finals happening this weekend.

Sydney FC will head to Perth to face the Glory from 6:30pm AEDT on Saturday before Canberra and Melbourne City battle it out at 8:00pm AEDT on Sunday in a game that was moved due to concerns over the heat.

ABC will have television coverage of both finals. Check local guides to see if it is live or delayed.

Radio

Perth v Sydney: Updates into WA Sports Talk on ABC Radio in Perth or Grandstand Digital for those in Western Australia.

Canberra v Melbourne: Live on ABC Radio or Grandstand Digital in Canberra. Also streamed on ABC Radio app.

But an interesting comparison can be drawn between this hype and the lack of one surrounding the W-League's semi-finals happening this weekend.

Now in its ninth season, the stark difference between its coverage and its new rival footy code is rather troubling.

The involvement of Melbourne City last year did receive some attention, as they clean-swept the competition and showed what was possible when women's teams receive equal support to their male counterparts.

But with netball, cricket and AFL receiving so much coverage around their new domestic competitions, it draws questions as to why our long-running football league is failing to match the hype.

What went wrong in the W-League this year?

Roar players dudded on pay deal: Amid the constant struggles with Brisbane Roar's financial and administrative stability, its women's side received significant pay cuts after being promised more professional contracts ahead of the 2016-17 season. Forty per cent was cut from the proposed pay and with most of the players juggling part-time jobs and football careers, they were given insufficient time to suss out interest or the possibility of receiving higher revenue from other clubs.

Fans locked out: A number of games this year have failed to let fans in on time, with a game at Lambert Park between Sydney FC and Canberra United not opening its doors until play had already commenced. Another at AAMI Park opened up to the public five to 10 minutes before kick-off. This means diehard fans cannot watch their favourites warm up and the players have to start the match without an atmosphere.

Women's facilities leave plenty to be desired: A double-header showcased at Gosford Stadium did not have proper facilities for the women's teams, meaning Canberra United and Brisbane Roar prepared for play in bordering tents and shared a demountable to shower in after play.

Premiers not given premier treatment: Canberra United finished the regular season with the premier's plate, but have been denied a home semi-final. The FFA decided a double-header with the A-League at Canberra Stadium would better suit the spectacle rather than McKellar Park, meaning the club loses revenue, familiarity, its advantage and the importance of being marketed as the main game.

Barely a full season: Players, some administrators and coaches have long been crying out for a full home-and-away season. Men play a 27-round regular season while women play 14 rounds in the regular season — 12 games and two byes. This summer Adelaide United sprung into superb form much too late, but had a proper season been in place, may have had the opportunity to creep through to the finals.

Why does the W-League matter?

The round-ball game may be considered less popular for Australian sports viewing, but at grassroots it is one of the frontrunners for female participation.

The athletes playing in this league dedicate their life to the game and while this season has been much more competitive now teams know how to tackle Melbourne City, there has been little to no publicity surrounding its business end.

As the feeder competition for Matildas talent — our most successful national football team — it is important young girls that love soccer are not deterred by the well-publicised opportunities now available in cricket, netball or AFL.

So, where to from here?

Ann Odong, editor of the website The Women's Game, has been following the W-League since it began and said a number of things have led to its plateau in the Australian sporting landscape.

"The positives for me have been the stability and the FFA have to be commended for that," she said.

"When you consider they look after the costs of travel and accommodation, which are substantial. Without putting in that kind of investment I don't think the W-League would have lasted coming up to it's 10th season."

But a lot needs to be done to change the ideals surrounding the competition and a lot of it comes down to marketing the A-League and the W-League with equal force.

Some of the problem lies within the sister-brother model and most teams would benefit from having separately dedicated support to ensure both teams are awarded equal opportunity.

"At the crux of it for people who support the W-League it is a question of equality," Odong said.

"If you're going to do one thing for the A-League team you should do the same for the W-League team and if you can't afford to do both it is inequitable to then give it only to the boys."

Another is converting those high participation rates to bums on seats and try-outs for W-League teams. At the moment many female footballers at grassroots level are still unaware of the competition's existence.

Using common sense in regards to scheduling double-headers would help the cause. If the facilities are not available, why not take the game elsewhere? Don't make the women's team feel of lesser value by then having them change in tents and demountables.

A full home-and-away season needs to be implemented as a minimum as a more evenly paired fixture and longer season will lead to fairer competition and greater development of skills across the board.

Lastly Odong argued the notion "that the women should just be grateful they've even got a league" is detrimental to its evolution.

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